Mt Pajaro Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2021
While the Pajaro chardonnay feels like it’s increased in scale and dimension, the Pinot Noir appears to have doubled down on the finesse and detail that has so far characterised the wines from this superb vineyard. The fully high-density planting allows for huge amounts of layers and drive to define the shape here, with lifted alpine pine needle, fruit blossom, red berries, crushed smoky rock notes all etched into a bed of crisp mineral tannin. The purity is exceptional, the detail and the drive, as salt and tight rocky notes provide a delicate grip to the silky tannins. There’s the air of a petrified flower to this – crisp, fine and perfumed. Joyous.
critic reviews
The newest site in Rhys's high-density repertoire, Mt. Pajaro, holds immense promise and has already begun delivering on it. The 2021 Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard opens with a floral, fragrant nose of cherry blossoms, citrus blossoms, hibiscus and persimmon. The palate is slender and succulent, with singing, treble-driven energy coursing through its tense, firm conclusion. This fantastic wine is made more impressive by the relative youth of the site, which, with time, should equal the heights achieved at Horseshoe, Alpine and Skyline.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard is unique within the range of Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Pinots in that it is the sole wine that emerges from the southern part of the appellation. Brisk and finely cut, the Mt. Pajaro encapsulates all the pedigree of this part of the appellation. Crushed rocks, chalk, white pepper, dried herbs and mint give the 2021 its brilliant upper register. This vivid, crystalline Pinot is simply lights out.